Heading into 2008

I trust that you all had a wonderful, Christ filled, Christmas and I even hope that Santa was good to you!

Looking back on 2007 I give God praise for His blessings in my life. As with everyone, there were high points and low points, but thankfully, in my life, the Highs outnumbered the Lows.

I'm not a big believer in New Years resolutions, because in my experience they usually end up becoming "revolutions" meaning that we make them over and over again. But I have set some goals for 2008. Some lofty ones, in fact. I'd like to share some with you so that I can look back, going into 2009, and hopefully find some accountability in them.

In 2008 I want to get to know God better. That may sound strange for a Pastor to say but I'm nothing, if not honest. As strange as it may sound, I have found that those that are supposed to know the most about God, are the ones who forget what "relationship" with Him is about. I do so many things, simply because it is what I am supposed to do and what I know to do. I know when I am supposed to pray and supposed to Praise and supposed to do this and such, so much so, to the point that I sometimes lose sight of the fact that I GET to do all of those things. God is a god of never ending relationship and I want to KNOW Him more.

In 2008 I am going to become more healthy. Yes, I even have a weight loss goal but my health goal is more than that. I noticed something while Christmas shopping this year. As I was walking through the Stores in a very trendy Suburb, I looked at the peoples faces. Here we were, at a glorius time of year, when joy should permeate hearts and all I could see was people with what I call, scrunched up faces! There were very few smiles and a whole bunch of stress. I thought to myself, "how sad that these people do not know how to enjoy Christmas!" Then it happened! As I looked around, I caught my reflection in a Store window and guess what? I was one of those people with a scrunched up face! After I got over my shock, I tried something that some might find silly. I deliberately thought of something pleasant and I smiled and you know what? I felt better! Now I'm not suggesting that we all go around grinning like idiots but I do think I am going to work on smiling more. I owe it to myself, my family, my Church, my health and my God.

In 2008 I am going to be more daring. I can't really explain it other than to say that so many times we stop short of what we want because someone or something has convinced us that we CAN'T! I'm even working on a Sermon series that I will call, "Who says you can't?" Who knows, I might even listen to it! LOL

In 2008 I am going to be a better Man because I believe we are living in a time when this world needs better Men. I want to be a man of Compassion, strength and Character, more than I ever have before. I owe that to everyone!

Happy New Year, everyone and may 2008 bless your socks off!

Christmas Songs that I don't Get

Have you ever wondered what some of the writers of Christmas songs were smoking at the time that they wrote them? Keep in mind that I do have a warped mind and I vehemently deny that I suffer from insanity! I enjoy every minute of it!

Example 1: DO YOU HEAR WHAT I HEAR?

Hello! What was this person thinking? Now Debbie tells me that I am over-analyzing it and it is like hearing a noise and asking, "Did you hear that?" But I say, NO! It's a SONG! And for the Singer to ask, "Do you hear what I hear?" boils down to basically, one of two things. They either think or wonder if I am deaf, or, they just don't think I am bright enough to realize they are singing.

Example 2: IT'S THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR

Besides the sickening sweet melody and the "a little too happy to be here" lyrics, there is a line in that song that is just, frankly, disturbing. It is this, "and scary ghost stories of Christmas's long, long, ago."
I have a lot of Christmas memories during my lifetime but I don't EVER remember sitting around the Christmas tree on Christmas Eve, having Ghost stories told to me! What kind of house did this guy grow up in? I'm betting they put the "fun" in dysFUNction! I suppose you could stretch the point to be talking about Scrooge but it sure wouldn't be as funny, and if you can't tell by now, that is what I'm going for here!

Example 3: SIMPLY HAVING A WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS TIME!

Nothing funny about this one. Besides his treatment of Heather Mills, this is one more thing that Paul McCartney should apologize for! While I usually like the musical stylings of Sir Paul, this one makes me want to run a screwdriver into my ears! It's nothing but a techno driven melody, with words repeated over and over and over again! I really believe that law enforcement could use it to coerce confessions!

Oh well, Whatever your choice of Christmas songs, I wish you and yours the best Christmas ever!

P.S.- Did I mention that I've never really gotten "Silent Night?" It is probably highly "non-spiritual" of me, but I'm betting that giving birth in a Stable, surrounded by animals, after riding a Donkey all night to get there, and then having this herd of Shepherds rush in to see, it probably wasn't very silent! (I do love the Song though):<)

Here is Number 100!

Hey, it only took a little over a year and I have finally hit 100 posts! Now I'm going to Disney World!!

It's (blogging) been fun, theraputic and a learning experience for me. I hope that a little after a year, it has been the same for those of you that look in on occasion. Sometimes I feel like I should put up a disclaimer, like, "I am no where near normal" but for the most part, I'm sure you have figured that out by now.

We are in the final phase of our annual Christmas Play. Every year a great couple in our Church, Kelly & Jill Rouse, write and direct an original play. They are extremely gifted at it and I believe this years Play will continue that tradition. If you are in the Chicago area on the 15th or 16th, drop by and see it. 6:00 p.m. both nights.

Let's Talk Politics for a moment. I like a lot of what Ron Paul has to say but there is something that I can't quite put my finger on, that makes me leary. There is not a front running Democrat that I trust at all and I am, overall, disenchanted with Republicans and their lack of progress. The Indy's are far too liberal for me so I am left with the dilemma of who to vote for when you aren't thrilled with anybody.

If the elections were held today, I would be voting for Mike Huckabee. Too me, he is by far the most sensible and trustworthy Candidate out there. I don't agree with him on everything but on the key matters, (my personal ones) we are pretty much aligned.

What does that mean to you? I'm not at all sure but you do read here, so I figured I would share! LOL

Now for the Disclaimer:
The opinions expressed here are soley my own and are expressed of my own volition. Although I am a Credentialed Minister and Pastor, my views are not necessarily representative of my Organization or local Church. Last but certainly not least, always remember that I AM NOT NORMAL! Should you choose to accept this Mission, Jim---------

Here's to another Hundred!

20 things to remember

Occasionally, Debbie will send me an e-mail forward that she finds interesting. She knows that I have a great disdain for forwards but she also knows my heart and she keeps me in line. She sent this little gem so instead of forwarding it, I thought I would share it with you. I'm unsure of the Author or I would give credit.

1. Faith is the ability to not panic.

2. If you worry, you didn't pray. If you prayed, don't worry.

3. As a child of God, prayer is kinda like calling home everyday.

4. Blessed are the flexible, for they shall not be bent out of shape.

5. When we get tangled up in our problems, be still. God wants us to be still so He can untangle the knot.

6. Do the math. Count your blessings.

7. God wants spiritual fruit, not religious nuts.

8. Dear God: I have a problem. It's me! -- My child, I have the answer. It's Me!

9. Silence is often misinterpreted, but never misquoted.

10. Laugh every day - it 's like inner jogging.

11. The most important things in your home are the people.

12. Growing old is inevitable, growing up is optional.

13. There is no key to happiness. The door is always open. Come on in.

14. A grudge is a heavy thing to carry.

15. He who dies with the most toys is still dead.

16. We do not remember days but moments. Life moves too fast so enjoy your precious moments.

17. Nothing is real to you until you experience it; otherwise it's just hearsay.


18. It's all right to sit on your pity pot every now and again. Just be sure to flush when you are done.

19. Surviving and living your life successfully requires courage. The goals and dreams you're seeking require courage and risk-taking. Learn from the turtle, it only makes progress when it sticks out its neck.

20. Be more concerned with your character than your reputation. Your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are. No matter the storm, when you are with God, there's always a rainbow waiting.


Leave gentle fingerprints on the soul of another for the angels to read.

I don't want to get to the end of my life and find that I lived just the
length of it.......I want to have lived the width of it as well!

Tolerance?

Here we are in "the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave" having the issue of "Tolerance" shoved down our throats like a child of ages past, enduring a dose of Castor Oil.

I am free to believe whatever I choose to believe but if I publicly state that JESUS IS THE ONLY WAY TO SALVATION, then I will be considered "intolerant" by others. Yet in the News this week there was a story of a British Woman that served as a Teacher in Sudan, whom they now want to execute because she allowed the children in her class to name a Teddy Bear, Muhammad. (the kicker is that they named the Bear after one of the children in the class)

In this Country, everyone is free to believe in most anything that they want. In this Country, we are protected by Freedom of Speech and can say most anything we want, unless of course, you are Christian. Do you think I am over-reacting? Consider this. Did you know that according to a law signed by the late Lyndon Johnson, if I publicly endorse a Candidate in election from my pulpit, my Church could lose its tax exempt status? So much for Freedom of Speech.

Now I may be a bit jaded but in my opinion, Tolerance in this Country is being touted for everyone but Christians. Meanwhile, a British woman is in fear for her life because she named a Teddy bear.

By the way, did I mention that, JESUS IS THE ONLY WAY TO SALVATION?

Be blessed!